askonefamily Helpline FAQs

What is the askonefamily helpline?

The helpline offers information and support to any member of a one parent family. You may be looking for information on social welfare, family law or parenting and family issues or you may be looking to talk to someone about any difficulties you may be experiencing. We offer a non-judgemental, listening ear to you. We also signpost you to other specialist services where appropriate, for example for legal advice.

The helpline has been in operation since 2004 and has supported many parents by providing information as well as listening to their concerns and letting them know about other available services, both here in One Family and in their local community.

How do I contact askonefamily?

You can call us on our lo-call number 1890 66 22 12 which is cheaper for you if you are calling from a landline, or call 01 662 9212 from a mobile.

Our askonefamily helpline hours are:

Tuesday | 2.30pm to 4.30pm
Wednesday | 10.00am to 12.00 noon
Thursday | 1.00pm to 3.00pm

You can call outside of these times, within office hours and we will take your call if we can. If not then you will be asked if you would like to leave a message and a contact number, if you would like us to call you back. We aim to call back the same day but this is not always possible.

Outside of our opening hours you can telephone and leave a message with your first name and a contact number on the One Family answerphone or you might like to email the service on support@onefamily.ie and we will respond either by email or phone, as you wish.

What can I call about?

People call us for all kinds of reasons, maybe they have a question about going back to work and how this affects their one parent family payment or maybe they are finding it difficult to communicate with their child’s other parent. Some other queries include:

• Managing finances
• Housing
• Childcare
• Parenting
• Legal issues
• Talking to your child about their family situation
• Social welfare benefits
• Relationship breakdown

How can you help me?

We all need a listening ear at times or we might need information when we have a decision to make. So, when you call the helpline you can expect to be listened to and given the right information that you need.

If you are looking for advice, whilst we will not tell you what to do, we may suggest options and help you to explore these. Oftentimes just being able to talk to someone about a concern or worry can be a relief.

Sometimes there may be a need for specialist information or support and in this instance we may signpost you to other services, where available.

Who will I talk to?

When you call the helpline you will talk to one of the askonefamily team, either a staff member or a volunteer.

This will be someone with training in non-directive listening and experience of parenting or working with families.

Feedback

Your feedback on the helpline service is appreciated, if you are not happy with the services you have received then please let us know about it.

You can write to:

The Director
One Family
Cherish House
2 Lower Pembroke Street
Dublin 2